Quick Facts
- Sample: Random urine specimen
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 2-3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor thyroid health — Track iodine levels that directly impact thyroid function
- No doctor visit required — Order online and visit lab to get collection kit
- Pregnancy-safe screening — Essential for fetal brain development during pregnancy
- Quick results — Get answers in just 2-3 days with secure online access
- Detect deficiency early — Prevent thyroid disorders before symptoms appear
- Simple collection — No fasting or special preparation needed
Who Is This Test For?
- Pregnant women ensuring adequate iodine for healthy fetal development
- Adults with thyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or hair loss
- People in iodine-deficient areas or following restrictive diets
- Individuals taking iodine supplements wanting to monitor their levels
- Health-conscious consumers proactively tracking nutritional status
- Those with family history of thyroid disorders
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Purchase your test kit without a prescription
- Collect sample — Provide a random urine sample using the provided container
- Get results — Receive secure, confidential results in 2-3 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? The concentration of iodine in your urine, which reflects your recent iodine intake and thyroid health status.
Do I need to fast before this test? No fasting required. Simply avoid iodine contrast agents for 96 hours before collection if you've had recent medical imaging.
How accurate is a random urine sample? Random samples provide a reliable snapshot of iodine status, though 24-hour collections may be more precise for borderline cases.
Can this test diagnose thyroid disease? This test measures iodine levels only. Additional thyroid function tests like TSH may be needed for complete thyroid assessment.
What if my results are abnormal? Consult with a healthcare provider to discuss dietary changes, supplementation, or further testing based on your specific results.
Is this test safe during pregnancy? Yes, urine testing is completely safe and particularly important during pregnancy when iodine needs increase significantly.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures urinary iodine concentration to assess your nutritional iodine status. Since iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, this test helps identify deficiency or excess that could impact your thyroid function, metabolism, and overall health. The test uses advanced inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for highly accurate results (LabCorp 2023).
Who would benefit from this test?
Pregnant women have increased iodine needs for fetal brain development, making monitoring crucial (WHO 2007). Adults experiencing thyroid symptoms, those following restrictive diets, or people living in iodine-deficient regions should consider testing. Studies show nearly half of pregnant women in some areas have insufficient iodine levels (NutriPATH 2025).
When should I order this test?
Order when experiencing symptoms like unexplained fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, or cold intolerance. Testing is especially important during pregnancy planning or early pregnancy. Consider testing if you avoid iodized salt, follow a vegan diet, or live in areas with known iodine deficiency. Regular monitoring is valuable if you're supplementing with iodine.
How do I interpret the results?
Below 100 µg/L
- What it means: Deficiency indicated
- Typical action: Increase iodine-rich foods or take supplements
100–199 µg/L
- What it means: Adequate levels
- Typical action: Maintain current intake
200–299 µg/L
- What it means: Above adequate
- Typical action: Monitor intake, no action needed
300+ µg/L
- What it means: Excessive intake
- Typical action: Reduce iodine sources, consult a healthcare provider
Approximately 2 billion people worldwide are affected by iodine deficiency, making this test a valuable health screening tool.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. You don't need to fast or adjust medications. However, avoid iodine-containing contrast agents used in medical imaging for at least 96 hours before sample collection. Collect your urine sample in the clean container provided and ship according to laboratory instructions, typically at room temperature.
How often should I get tested?
- General health monitoring: Annually
- During pregnancy: Each trimester
- Taking iodine supplements: Every 3–6 months
- History of thyroid disorders: Every 6 months
- Following dietary changes: 3 months after changes
Why early detection matters
Early identification of iodine imbalance prevents serious thyroid disorders and their complications. Severe iodine deficiency increases risks of goiter, hypothyroidism, and neurodevelopmental deficits in infants (Zimmerman 2009). During pregnancy, adequate iodine is critical for proper fetal brain development. Detecting and correcting iodine imbalance early reduces healthcare costs and improves long-term health outcomes.
Related tests you may consider
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - to assess overall thyroid function.
Thyroglobulin Antibodies Blood Test Panel - detects autoimmune thyroid conditions that may be influenced by iodine levels.
Iodine Blood Test - measures iodine levels in the blood to help evaluate thyroid function and detect iodine deficiency or excess, which may impact metabolism and overall hormonal balance.
